Category: Sedation Dentistry

Are you afraid for going to the dentist? Have you ever asked yourself why? While there have been many excuses given as to why someone cancelled their dental appointment, most of the time, it is the fear of pain that makes them so skittish. And no matter how much you try to rest their minds at ease, it is this fear of the dental procedure that will cause someone to “tough through” the pain, rather than remedy it.

Now what if I told you that the dental industry has made great strides in trying to ease your fears? It’s true. With sedation dentistry, patients can have safe, mild forms of sedation while the procedure is being done, so they can relax calmly in the chair that gives the most anxiety. Additionally, the sedatives will also numb the areas that will be worked on, making the fear of pain during the procedure nonexistent. The anesthetic is temporary so by the time it wears off, the procedure is done and you were none the wiser. You may have to have a driver give you a lift home, but you are free and clear to leave after the procedure is complete.

There are many types of sedation available, and which you receive will depend on the procedure needed and your level of anxiety to have the procedure done. They can vary from minimal, where you are awake but feeling relaxed and calm about the procedure, to moderate, which leaves you awake but groggy. If you are in need of a more invasive procedure, you will need to have a stronger anesthetic given, one that will leave you awake, but you will have minimal consciousness. But if a major surgery is concerned, it is known that these are the procedures that give the patient the most anxiety. In this case, you will be given a general anesthetic that will leave you completely unconscious. You won’t be awake, you won’t feel anything, but you will definitely need a driver afterwards.

But how are they administered? For those that need minimal relief, it will generally be administered via a gas mask of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas. No needles, no pain. For those that need a bit more, you will be given a pill to be taken orally prior to the surgery taking place. The reaction to it depends on the patient – some can stay awake, some are often groggy. For the extra-strength sedative, chances are you will need an IV. Not only will it keep you sedated throughout the procedure, but the dentist can adjust the dosage given to you the entire time. All versions are very safe and are generally paired with a topical anesthetic applied to the affected area. Not only will the anesthetic keep your mind off the situation at hand, but will truly keep it completely pain-free.

If you would like more information regarding sedation dentistry, contact Dr. Ted Haines, DDS in Snohomish, WA at 360-568-8577 or visitwww.tedhainesdds.comfor additional information.

We all know we need our dentist if we want to maintain our healthy smiles. In fact, it is expected that we visit them twice a year. But what if you have an actual fear of these visits? How are you supposed to be able to not only sit through one visit a year, but two? The idea sounds impossible as every fear you have about this appointment flashes through your mind. So you cancel your appointment. Or just skip out on the idea altogether and just deal with the pain. You aren’t alone. Of all the health professionals feared most by adults, the dentist is at the top of the list. So much so, Dental Anxiety (DA) is an actual diagnosis for this fear. For one reason or another, dental professionals everywhere are puzzled at the idea that their patients would rather do their taxes than keep a check-up appointment.

Fear not, the dental industry is listening. And they have been busy making huge strides in order to calm those fears. It is called sedation dentistry.

To break it down simply, sedation dentistry is the way your dentist relaxes you enough to handle the dental procedure through the use of medication. There are various levels that you can be sedated, ranging from minimal sedation to the completely unconscious general anesthesia. What you receive will depend on your fear and the recommendation made by your dentist. In addition, you will likely receive a numbing agent to the area that will be worked on. This will alleviate any pain you may have caused by the procedure. The idea is to make you as comfortable as possible as they do their job and to make recovery time minimal. Thankfully, there are many ways your personal “relaxation” can be administered.

If you aren’t in need of a lot to relax you, chances are you will be receiving nitrous oxide, or laughing gas. It is given to you as you breathe through a mask, so zero pain is involved. Because it is not a long-lasting option, you will have the option to drive home afterwards.

If you need to be calmed with a bit more than a little gas, the next option would be an oral sedative. Similar to a valium, the pill should be taken about an hour before your procedure so it has time to take effect. It will make a patient groggy, but you will be awake during the procedure. It is also possible to be sedated via an IV. It takes affect a lot quicker but the dentist also has the ability to adjust the amount as needed.

For the more invasive procedures, a deeper sedation will be required. Administered by medications prior to your procedure, this deep sedation method will render you unconscious and unable to be awakened easily, unlike the other lighter versions. General anesthesia is similar in that you will need it to wear off in order to be awakened because you will be in a very deep sleep.

It is important that you discuss all of your options with your dental professional before any procedure. They will know which method will be best for you and your fears while in their care. Mention your medical history or any other vital information that will help decide. Find out the risks. Find out how much experience your dental professional has had with your procedure. The more you know, the calmer you will feel when it’s time to get things done.

If you feel that you may benefit from sedation dentistry, contact Dr. Ted Haines, DDS in Snohomish, WA at 360-568-8577 or visit www.tedhainesdds.com for additional information.

Sleep dentistry is preferred by some patients who may experience only slight anxiety to a severe dental phobia. For those with such conditions, sleep dentistry also allows your dentists to work more quickly and effectively. However, there are a number of different types of sleep dentistry.

So what are the different types of sleep dentistry?

-Oral Moderate sedation is typically given in the form of a pill in the same family as Valium. As a result, you’ll be very drowsy, but still often awake. A larger dose may be used to allow you to fully sleep, though you can often be awakened with a gentle shake.

-Light sedation, typically inhaled, often nitrous oxide – ‘laughing gas’– takes effect quickly, wears off quickly, and allows you to answer questions during the procedure. You’ll likely remember most of the procedure, but will feel little pain or discomfort.

-Deep sedation / general anesthesia is an option for some patients and procedures. With deep sedation, the patient is fully asleep, and must be closely monitored. The patient cannot be awoken quickly or easily. In many cases, a dentist may have an anesthesiologist available to administer anesthesia and monitor the patient while the dentist focuses on the oral procedure.

-IV Moderate sedation is given through a vein, and typically aims for effects similar to oral moderate sedation – anywhere from very drowsy to light sleep.

You should speak to your dentist about which may be right for you. The answer will depend on your medical history, level of anxiety, the length and nature of the procedure, and occasionally your budget or insurance. As is always the case, if you have any questions, Dr. Haines is here to guide you.

Call Dr. Ted Haines DDS for more information on sedation or to make an appointment today at 360-568-8577 or visit the website at tedhainesdds.com.

A significant amount of patients could be considered to have dental anxiety or a dental-phobia. This can result in difficult visits to the dentist or perhaps avoiding the dentist all together. However, there is a solution to your fears, sedation dentistry. If you are in the category of dental-phobic, anything from a mild sedative to twilight sleep or total sedation.

Sedation dentistry uses varying medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It is used to establish a relaxed, easy and calm state during your dental procedure. It also makes the patient more likely to returns for recommended care or procedures.

The following types of sedation are used in dentistry:

Inhaled minimal sedation. You breathe nitrous oxide — otherwise known as “laughing gas”. The gas will help you relax. Your dentist controls the amount of sedation you receive, and the gas tends to wear off quickly.

Oral sedation. Depending on the total dose given, oral sedation can range from minimal to moderate. For minimal sedation, you take a pill, typically in the Valium family. The pill will make you drowsy, although you’ll still be awake. A larger dose may be given to produce moderate sedation. This is the type of anesthesia most commonly associated with sedation dentistry.

IV moderate sedation. You receive the sedative drug through a vein, so it goes to work more quickly. This method allows the dentist to continually adjust the level of sedation.

Deep sedation and general anesthesia. You will get medications that will make you either almost unconscious or totally unconscious — deeply asleep — during the procedure(WebMD).

Your dentist will recommend sedation to match the duration and anticipated discomfort of the dental procedure.

Don’t ignore the proper care your teeth require due to a dental-phobia when there is a clear solution for you. Dental sedation offers you a path free of fear. If you’ve experienced dental anxiety in the past, Dr. Haines is here to guide you on the proper route for a pain free dental visit.

Call Dr. Ted Haines DDS for an appointment today at 360-568-8577 or visit the website at tedhainesdds.com.

Does the thought of even going to the dentist raise your blood pressure? How about the thought of having your teeth worked on make you anxious or uncomfortable? Do the sight of needles and the sound of dental drills make you cringe? We sympathize! Now imagine if you could have everything done while you nap comfortably and wake to not remembering anything from the procedure? With the use of oral sedation, we can do this for you. Dr. Ted Haines has been helping people overcome these fears for many years.

Dr. Haines will prescribe the appropriate medication in a pill form that you will take in his office before your treatment. Most oral sedation dentistry patients nap through their visit and leave feeling relaxed, healthy, and well cared for.

This can benefit a wide range of patients, including people with:

High dental anxiety and fear

A severe gag reflex

Difficulty getting numb

Extensive treatment needs

A desire to have dentistry done comfortably while.they are fully relaxed

Dr. Haines also offers Inhalation Sedation treatment. Nitrous Oxide is commonly referred to as, “Laughing Gas.” This mild sedative inhalant will put you in a euphoric state of relaxation and will help make the dental procedures much easier for you to handle.Inhalation sedation, laughing gas, relative analgesia, happy gas, gas and air, nitrous, nitrous oxide, N2O-O2… this one has more names than any other sedation technique! And deservedly so. Inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen has been described as “representing the most nearly ‘ideal’ clinical sedative circumstance”. The effects of nitrous oxide: it kills pain – and it induces a pleasurable feeling. After 5 minutes or so of breathing in the gas, you should feel a euphoric feeling spread throughout your body.

We understand that going to the dentist can be very difficult for some people. Dental phobia is actually a lot more common than you may think. It is estimated that about 15% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of this reason. Don’t let the agony of a toothache wear on or let much needed regular visits to the dentist pass by, we can keep your visits to the dentists pleasant.

Call Ted Haines DDS for an appointment today. Keep those teeth and gums healthy! Call 360-568-8577 or visit the website at tedhainesdds.com.

Does the thought of having your teeth worked on make you anxious or uncomfortable? Do the sight of needles and the sound of dental drills make you cringe? Now imagine if you could have everything done while you nap comfortably and awake to not remembering anything from the procedure. By the use of oral conscious sedation, we can do this for you. Dr. Ted Haines of (Your City, Your State) has been helping people overcome these fears for many years.

Dr. Ted Haines will prescribe the appropriate medication in a pill form that you will take in his office before your treatment. Most oral sedation dentistry patients nap through their visit and leave feeling relaxed, healthy, and well cared for. This can benefit a wide range of patients, including people with:

High dental anxiety and fear.

A severe gag reflex.

Difficulty getting numb.

Extensive treatment needs.

A desire to have dentistry done comfortably while.they are fully relaxed.

Dr. Ted Haines also offers Nitrous Oxide treatment. Nitrous Oxide is commonly referred to as “Laughing Gas.” This mild sedative inhalant will put you in a euphoric state of relaxation and will help make the dental procedures much easier for you to handle.

We understand that going to the dentist can be very difficult for some people. Dental phobia is actually a lot more common than you may think. It is estimated that about 15% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of this reason.

If you would like more information on sedation dentistry or Nitrous Oxide treatment, please contact Dr. Ted Haines at (Your Phone Number) or (Your Website).